Would Meade really have left the battle at G-burg and repaired to his chosen ground? I honestly don't think so!

I do. Without that Hill, Meade would have had no defensive position. Of course, Washington would be insisting that he drive Lee out of Pennsylvania, but I think he showed (by not chasing off after Lee) that he could resist such pressure.

Lee could not remain in Gettysburg; his supply line was long and quite rickety. Further foraging would again require that he divide his forces and lenthen his supply line. There was no way he could threaten Baltimore or Washington without attacking Meade; if not where he did, then at Pipe Creek.